Introduction: The prevalence of choledocholithiasis among patients with acute cholecystitis is estimated to be between 9 and 16.5%. There are no validated algorithms to predict choledocholithiasis in this group of patients.
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the choledocholithiasis diagnostic score proposed by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, in patients with acute cholecystitis.
Material/methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study, covering a 4-year period at a secondary care hospital, was performed. All patients with an encoded diagnosis of acute cholecystitis and with at least one of the following procedures were included: endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopic ultrasound, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and intraoperative cholangiography.
Results: Among 4,369 patients with the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis, 40 (0.92%) had clinical or sonographic suspicion of choledocholithiasis. Their mean age was 68.1 ± 15 years, and 22 (55%) were men. Thirty-one of the patients included (77.5%) had a high risk of choledocholithiasis, and 9 (22.5%) had an intermediate risk. In 16 (51.6%) of the 31 patients with a high risk, the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis was confirmed. In 2 (22.2%) of the 9 patients with an intermediate risk, the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis was also confirmed. The high risk score for choledocholithiasis had a positive predictive value of 52% and a sensitivity of 89%. The intermediate risk score for choledocholithiasis had a positive predictive value of 22% and a sensitivity of 11%.
Discussion and conclusions: Suspicion of choledocholithiasis in patients with acute cholecystitis was a rare event (<1%). The sensitivity of the high risk score was approximately the same as found in published series with patients with suspected choledocholithiasis overall (86%), while the positive predictive value was substantially lower (52 vs. 79.8%). Therefore, in patients with acute cholecystitis and suspected choledocholithiasis, this score should not be used to screen for common bile duct stones, and a sensitive method should be used prior to ERCP.
Introdução: A prevalência de coledocolitíase em doentes com colecistite aguda é estimada entre 9 e 16.5%. Não existem algoritmos validados para o diagnóstico de coledocolitíase neste grupo de doentes. Objectivo: Avaliar a performance do score de coledocolitíase proposto pela American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, em doentes com coleciste aguda. Material/Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo transversal, durante um período de 4 anos num hospital de cuidados secundários. Foram incluídos todos os doentes com diagnóstico codificado de colecistite aguda e pelo menos um dos seguintes procedimentos: colangiopancreatografia retrógrada, ecoendoscopia, colangiopancreatografia por ressonância magnética e colangiografia intra-operatória. Resultados: Em 4,369 doentes com diagnóstico de colecistite aguda, 40 (0.92%) tiveram suspeita clínica ou ecográfica de coledocolitíase. A idade média foi 68.1 ± 15 anos e 22 (55%) eram homens. Dos doentes incluídos, 31 (77.5%) tinham score elevado de coledocolitíase e 9 (22.5%) tinham score intermédio. Em 16/31 (51.6%) doentes com score elevado o diagnóstico de coledocolitíase foi confirmado. Em 2/9 (22.2%) doentes com score intermédio foi também confirmada coledocolitíase. O score elevado de probabilidade de coledocolitíase teve um valor preditivo positivo de 52% e uma sensibilidade de 89%. O score intermédio de probabilidade teve um valor preditivo positivo de 22% e uma sensibilidade de 11%. Discussão e Conclusões: A suspeita de coledocolitíase em doentes com colecistite aguda foi um evento raro (<1%). A sensibilidade do score elevado de probabilidade foi semelhante ao reportado na literatura (86%), mas o valor preditivo positivo foi significativamente menor (52 vs. 79.8%). Assim, em doentes com colecistite aguda e suspeita de coledocolitíase este score não deve ser utilizado, devendo ser realizado um método de diagnóstico antes da CPRE.
Keywords: Acute cholecystitis; Choledocholithiasis; Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.